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Engaging with DCU

DCU and Arizona State University

DCU has been collaborating with Arizona State University since 2006, developing international cooperation in education, research and economic development, based on their shared values of innovation and entrepreneurship, technology-enhanced learning, and research and discovery.

The Transatlantic Higher Education Partnership, which was signed by these two progressive universities in 2013, builds on this history and is designed to provide students with unique education and research experiences while also growing the economies and positively impacting the communities in Arizona and Ireland.

Arizona State University and Dublin City University researchers are using this partnership opportunity to pool expertise and develop new ideas and technologies in a variety of sectors.

New projects have been undertaken to advance education and research in both North America and Ireland. Areas of collaboration include:

Ageing/Healthy Lifestyle

Bio-design Europe

Entrepreneurship

Health Solutions

Sensor Research

Sustainability

Both universities understand the need for innovation and entrepreneurship in today’s society and encourage this trait in their student bodies. Both universities have been designated Changemaker campuses by Ashoka U - a worldwide initiative that encourages social entrepreneurship in higher.

IICRR Launch

TThe Institute for International Conflict Research and Resolution at DCU brings together authoritative analysis of the Northern Ireland peace process, with expertise on the international politics of regions in conflict and in post-conflict rebuilding from Kosovo to Kashmir and also on thematic issues such as violent on-line political extremism, mediation, gender equality and development-security linkages.

IICRR draws on the expertise of almost 60 researchers working on issues of conflict resolution and reconstruction from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, from politics and international relations, to development studies, gender, education, intercultural studies, law and economics. Research aims to provide evidence-based analysis of conflict management, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction opportunities.

The institute is internationally networked and so can contribute to and draw upon the best international expertise to meet the challenges of contemporary conflict situations.

Image: The institute was formally launched in DCU in December 2012 by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Age Friendly University

I like this university. I think there is an energy about it that is both rewarding and refreshing."

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Speaking at the launch of the DCU Age Friendly University Initiative

Since its earliest days, DCU has been committed to widening access to higher education, and this includes enhancing the lives of older members of our community through our innovative educational programmes, research and civic engagement. An 'Age Friendly University' champions positive and active ageing and aims to encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the university, including education programmes, research and innovation, as well as health, fitness, social and cultural activities.

DCU has taken a leadership role worldwide in establishing this initiative, which will be followed by many other universities around the world with Arizona State University, the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and Dundalk Institute of Technology all embracing the concept of the Age Friendly University and proposing to introduce similar schemes across their campuses.

An Age Friendly University is one which identifies the distinctive contributions that can be made by higher education institutions in addressing the needs of older adults. DCU offers a broad range of activities, including:

– Intergenerational Learning programmes which encourage current students and older adults to learn together
– Research programmes focusing on issues of ageing (including a major EU project on Dementia)
– Fitness, health and wellness programmes including Heart Smart, Breathe Smart and Diabetes Health Steps
– Second Career programmes, which focus on career changes in later life, including entrepreneurial opportunities